FULL THROTTLE?

When Laura Thomas' father, Norman, brought his latest purchase at the DBS Newbury Sale into her training yard, she was not impressed: "Where did you get that from?" He certainly had a good Irish name!

Laura, who trains at Hackpen Farm just below Barbury Castle, described the Irish-bred gelding as "Properly nutty! He's naughty to ride, and is very green and a bit hairy, but he's getting better. He might almost be my favourite soon."

Now a six-year old, he has got so much better that he won the Maiden Hunters' Chase at Fontwell on May 14. Amateur jockey Johnny Bailey brought him home to win by one and three-quarter lengths. Full Trottle would have been ridden by Katy Lyons but she chose to ride the horse that came fourth in the Fontwell race: the Irish-bred nine year-old Carnglave Cat.